Mike Norvell raves over the cohesiveness on FSU's roster, potential it creates

Florida State had a loaded roster last football season, bringing back a slew of starters from the previous year as one of the most experienced teams in the nation. Leading the Seminoles to an undefeated regular season and their first ACC title since 2014.

But 10 of those players were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft with several others graduating from the program. Leaving the 2024 version of Florida State roster looking like a nice mix of veteran players and young, talented stars in the making. A blend that FSU head coach Mike Norvell detailed at ACC Media Days on Monday focusing on the cohesion of his team.

“I think it’s been great,” Norvell said. “Ultimately that is the challenge in college football. You look at recruiting, the path, the journey with the transfer portal, different avenues for guys to be able to come and join and be a part of a program. It’s still about putting together the most talented team. Building that team is something I thought was really an X factor for us there a year ago, really the last few seasons.”

Yet again Norvell and the Seminoles have excelled in the transfer portal, integrating proven players from other schools into their program with homegrown talent. And while acquiring talent is always the main focus for coaches in recruiting, making sure the chemistry between those new players and the rest of the team is crucial in success as well.

“When you see guys with all different journeys and experiences come together, how much they care about each other, the willingness to invest, challenge and encourage each other throughout the circumstances that are going to show up. I think this team has really embraced that,” Norvell revealed. “From when we started back in January with the winter workouts to all the steps leading up until reporting here tomorrow, this team has invested a great deal of time outside of the facility.”

“I think we have a group of like-minded individuals,” Norvell added. “They love to work. They’re willing to embrace challenge. It’s that cohesiveness that has me excited about what this team’s potential can be. We just now get to go live it out as we start off with this upcoming season.”

Florida State will look to repeat and build on last season’s success with a handful of new faces and contributors this year. As the standard in Tallahassee remains high and the formula for success has now been proven under Norvell.